Australian rugby young guns to watch in historic first women’s competition at Hong Kong 10s

There’s the daughter of a Wallaby, the sister of a NRL gun, a soccer talent, future Olympians and head-turning speedsters. Meet the rising stars of rugby about to make history.

Anaia Cruickshank during the match between the AON Rising Stars and NSW in the Next Gen series. Picture: Karen Watson/Rugby AU

They are our rising stars of rugby about to create history as the first women ever to compete in a famous event alongside some very famous names from overseas.

Future Olympians, potential Wallaroos, a soccer star and players with famous sporting fathers and brothers.

And while they have yet to even train together, these players from NSW, Queensland and the ACT - along with a handful of UK talent - will soon meld to create history at the famous Hong Kong 10s event later this month.

For the first time four women’s team will play at the tournament with the Australians picked up by the UK based Samurai club to be a part of a new era in the event.

And guiding them into the history books will be an Aussie coach with an old contact who is backing them for success.

Anaia Cruickshank from Manly is one of numerous northern beaches players in the side. Picture: Karen Watson/Rugby AU

National 7s pathway coach and manager Nathan McMahon has close associations with the Samurai rugby club and owner Terry Sand in the UK and has been tasked with putting together a composite team for the first women’s event.

Aside from the Australian youngsters, the women’s team will also boast UK members, including 137 cap England veteran and forwards coach Rocky Clark.

Young Queenslander Sidney Taylor. Picture: Karen Watson

McMahon said there is an abundance of exciting Australian talent in the Samurai team including Manly Marlins rugby players Piper Simons, Anaia Cruickshank, Kiiahala Duff, Betty Koula and Milla Elaro, University of Queensland captain Sidney Taylor and Reds young gun Heidi Dennis.

“These are a lot of the girls who played really well in the Next Gen series and been rewarded for their efforts,’’ McMahon said.

“This is a huge opportunity for them to travel overseas, get exposure and play in a world class tournament.

Queenslander Heidi Dennis slipping through the NSW defence. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“It’s history and its nice to have the Samurai club and brand approach us.

“We want them to have fun as well. We are there to win but also to teach them the values of what touring is about and playing with girls from around the world. It’s pretty special.’’

McMahon will only have his full contingent of players together for four sessions ahead of their match at the Hong Kong football club from March 29-30.

Georgia Grey at the Australian Schools Rugby Championships at Know last year. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The women’s competition will be played between HKFC Natixis Ice, the Hong Kong premiership league champions, Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix, the Japanese champions and the Ashbury Topics form the UK and the RKS Legal Samurai Warriors.

Matches at the event comprise two 10 minute halves.

“It’s a priority to do well. We are going there to win,’’ McMahon said.

“The opportunity to have rolling subs means we can go at 100 miles an hour and can go as hard as we can.’’

Tolutau Koula is a talented rugby league player. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

Among the Australians is Georgia Grey, daughter of Wallaby Nathan who recently moved from Sydney to Queensland for her rugby.

Koula is one of the most exciting talents in NSW and the sister of Tolutau, a Tonga international with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL.

Brooke Gilroy is with the Brumbies and showing plenty of form, with Nancy Volkman released from the Waratahs Super W program for the tournament.

Piper Flynn is a talented Queensland who will play with Piper Simons in the halves, whole Dennis is a former Brisbane Roar athletes with talent to burn.

SAMURAI WOMEN’S HONG KONG 10 TEAM

Anaia Cruickshank NSW, Heidi Dennis QLD, Kiiahala Duff NSW, Milla Elaro NSW, Piper Flynn, NSW, Brooke Gilroy ACT, Georgia Grey QLD, Betty Koula NSW,

Ruby Nicholas NSW, Piper Simons NSW, Sidney Taylor QLD, Sophie Duff QLD, Nancy Volkman NSW, Claudia Nielsen NSW.

Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE